Tetsuya Naito is one of NJPW‘s top stars, but he knows his retirement is coming.
Naito, 41, is a three-time world champion with NJPW. He won his third NJPW G1 Climax tournament earlier this year.
Speaking with NJPW’s website, Naito admitted that he knows the end of his career is closer than the beginning. He noted that he has some health issues, and his eventual retirement is starting to come into focus. With that in mind, he made it clear that he intends to push himself the make the most of every moment.
“I know my time is limited. I have knee troubles, eye troubles,” Tetsuya Naito said. “The end of the line, that image of retirement that was so far away for so long is now coming into focus a little. But I think that’s just another reason to enjoy where I am as a wrestler and to live in the now, right now.
“I need to make the most of every moment. That’s not just in the ring, either. Being in the gym, it’s a big motivator for me to push harder, knowing I can’t afford to delay anything.”
At NJPW Destruction in Kobe on September 24, Naito will face Jeff Cobb in a buzzworthy singles match.
